THE MILITARY "INQUIRY"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 74, 7 August 1901, Page 2

THE MILITARY "INQUIRY"

The alleged military inquiry opened yest-erday (Monday). It gives promise of being the whitest frost on record. Three gentlemen in full uniform sat Id the draughty drftgbed and waited for something to turn up. Oolonel Pent on in mufti lingered in the background, but he is understood not to be within the " order of reference." Outside a | sentry paced up and down for a time e~ if expectant of contest with an inei*»tent | cloud of witnesses, but no witnesses came forth. Mr. T. Wilfotd, M.H.E., | presently made his appearance, and informally offered to produce evidence from certain back-country soldiers if he were allowed to conduct their cases for them, but he wag informed that this was a strict military tribunal which had been sworn to secrecy todivnlge nothing which transpired during its sittings;, therefore, he was "out of court." After venturing to differ with some opinions on points of law expressed by the Commissioners, and probably finding the discussion unremunerative, he withdrew. Prima facie, it seems that nothing will transpire; ergo there will be nothing te divulge. The representatives of the press, through whose revelations the " Newtown Park scandal " has become a byword throughout the colony, and whose demand it w*s that an effective commission of inquiry should be appointed, have been informed courteously "but. firmly that as this is a bjrictly militat y arrangement under tha Defence Act it will be useless for them to try and get , any details. Mr Wilford has, it is understood, taken pi'y on the three , *«ntleman who have been placed in so • udiotous a position, aod has piom'sad , ;a wire to his principals and ask them j f they are willing to come down and ] rolunteer statements on their own ac- , lount. To the bucolic tempirament | bis will probably appeal as »n invoation to "dome to be killed!"— and ] bej won't, — Em Zealand Times. ' j